Council

The District of Vanderhoof Council is comprised of the Mayor and 6 Councillors. The current District of Vanderhoof Council was elected in November 2011, and sworn in that December. Members serve a three-year term. The next Municipal Elections will occur in 2014.

Council meets on the second and fourth Monday of the month (see the schedule for exact dates). Members of the community are welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings. If you have an issue you would like to bring to Council, you are welcome to do so. Go to our Presenting to Council page for more information.

Examples of a Council's policy initiatives to direct the present and future operation of the community are:
• adopting a budget
• adopting an official community plan bylaw
• adopting zoning bylaws
• making policy resolutions

Council may only exercise its powers through a bylaw or by resolution.

The Mayor provides, on behalf of Council, general direction to Municipal Officers respecting implementation of Council's policies, programs and other directions of Council.

The Administration puts the Council's policies into effect, under the coordination of the CAO, through such activities as:
• capital and operating expenditures as set out in the budget
• bylaw administration and enforcement
• administration of provincial and federal laws affecting local government.

Responsibilities of Mayor and Council

The Council

The members of Council, including the Mayor, have these statutory responsibilities:
• to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality and its community
• to contribute to the development and evaluation of the policies and programs of the municipality respecting its services and other activities
• to participate in council meetings, committee meetings and meetings of other bodies to which the member is appointed
• to carry out other duties assigned by the council
• to carry out other duties assigned by or under the Community Charter or any other Act

The Mayor

There are specific statutory duties and responsibilities assigned to the office of the mayor, in the mayor's capacity of chief executive officer (CEO) of the municipality, that are additional to those of the Council and the mayor as a member of Council, namely:
• providing leadership
• recommending bylaws, resolutions and other measures to assist in peace, order and good government of the municipality
• communicating information to council
• presiding at council meetings
• providing, on behalf of Council, general direction to municipal officers respecting implementation of Council's policies, programs and other directions of Council
• establishing standing committees of council
• suspending municipal officers and employees
• reflecting the will of council
• carrying out other duties on behalf of council
• carrying out other duties assigned by or under the Community Charter or any other Act

How Council Exercises Its Powers

The Governing Body of the Municipality

Council consists of the Mayor and the councillors. It is a continuing body and may complete any proceedings started but not completed before a change in its membership, such as after a general election. Only the Council can exercise the powers, duties and functions of a municipality, unless the Charter or another Act provides otherwise, but subject to delegation under Section 154, discussed later in this paper. Council is acting as the governing body of the municipality when exercising or performing its powers, duties and functions.

Delegation of Authority

Council may delegate its powers, duties and functions by bylaw, except the following:
• the making of a bylaw
• a power or duty exercisable only by bylaw
• a power or duty established by the Charter or another Act or regulation that the council give its approval or consent to, recommendations on, or acceptance of an action, decision or other matter
• a power or duty established by an Act or regulation that council hear an appeal or reconsider an action, decision or other matter
• a power or duty to terminate the appointment of an officer
• the power to impose a remedial action under Division 12 of Part 3 (e.g. unsightly premises)

The delegation may be to:
• a council member or council committee
• an officer or employee of the municipality
• another body established by council with these exceptions:
• the power or duty to appoint or suspend an officer may only be delegated to the CAO
• council's powers, duties and functions cannot be delegated to a corporation